Rise of Shadows is revealed to be the first expansion in Hearthstone's Year of the Dragon, launching on April 9th. In this expansion, villains from Hearthstone's past band together in the League of E.V.I.L. to attack Dalaran, with the new mechanic Twinspell and Token Card Lackeys.\r\rThe expansion also imagines a post-Legion world without the threat of a faction conflict, as we see history repeat itself with a city on fire, ancient villains banding together, and a chance for the player adventurers to side with evil.\r\rLearn more on our sister site Hearthstone Top Decks, in their Rise of Shadows Expansion Guide!\r\r\r\rWith the lore of Hearthstone and Warcraft intertwined, here are some details you may care about as a WoW player, even if you're not interested in the card game.\r\rEmbracing the Shadow - Player Choice\rUsually, in Blizzard games, we're the good guys! But in Rise of Shadows, we can aid the villains this time:\r\rThe League of E.V.I.L. will never be defeated! Just you wait until you see the true scope of our secret master plan! Come to think of it, we do have an opening for lackeys, and you seem\u2026 uniquely qualified. What do you say? Care to take a walk on the dark side?\r\rBattle for Azeroth similarly explores a darker storyline than previously seen, allowing us to make tough choices while questing. In Tides of Vengeance, we can choose to betray Saurfang to Sylvanas, or tip Nathanos off to Baine's plan to save Derek Proudmoore. Instead of playing the hero, we have the power to make questionable choices.\r\rIn Patch 8.1.5, we'll investigate the threats of the Old Gods more, with another choice to make--whether to keep their gift or cleanse it. The potential of players choosing to keep the influence of the Old Gods opens up many narrative implications of Battle for Azeroth, which we've analyzed in The Price of Power - Relics within the Crucible of Storms and N'Zoth Wants Us to Win.\r\rAt 3:28 in the announcement trailer, Dave Kosak confirms the magic of the Old Gods is back in Hearthstone: "Madam Lazul, the fortune-teller is bringing back some forbidden magic, faint whispers of the Old Gods. Make no mistake, this will be one of our darkest expansions." Perhaps Rise of Shadows exists in a parallel universe, exploring the implications of embracing the gift of the Old Gods in a different way.\r\rBased on the class we choose in Hearthstone, according to the cards revealed in the trailer, our deck reflects us allying with either the League of E.V.I.L. or Defenders of Dalaran. This sounds like Hearthstone's way of offering players a storytelling choice, instead of always siding with the good guys.\r\rThere are five villains in Rise of Shadows and each is represented by a different class:\rPriest - Madame Lazul - Whispers of the Old Gods\rRogue - King Togwaggle - Kobolds and Catacombs\rShaman - Hagatha - The Witchwood\rWarlock - Arch-Thief Rafaam - League of Explorers\rWarrior - Dr. Boom - Goblins vs Gnomes\r\rMeanwhile, the Defenders of Dalaran are represented in the trailer by the Mage Legendary Kalecgos and a Druid card, The Forest's Aid.\r\rParallels to the BFA Universe\rBattle for Azeroth starts off with a faction conflict, sparked by Sylvanas attack on Night Elf lands, culminating in the Burning of Teldrassil. Rise of Shadows examines what a post-Legion world would look like, should the faction conflict take a back seat. There's still villains banding together, a major city on fire, and Old Gods whispers--history repeats itself across the timeways.\r\rRise of Shadows brings back several familiar faces from Legion Dalaran. Nomi, who burned all of our food during Legion, a sad turn of events after he served as our docile apprentice in Mists, is also burning everything in Hearthstone. Kalecgos, a member of the Council of Six, is a new legendary in Hearthstone whose card art depicts Dalaran burning in the background. As the announcement trailer confirms he is a defender of Dalaran, it would appear the schemes of the League of E.V.I.L. have been successful if Dalaran is on fire. Battle for Azeroth also started with a fire--the Burning of Teldrassil.\r\r\r\rIn the trailer, we see the villains racing towards Dalaran on a familiar mount, the 暗月飞船. Previously, we wrote how the Darkmoon Faire had similarities to the Old Gods, both in WoW and in Hearthstone. This is yet another tie-in linking the universes in a quirky fun way. On a more serious note, bringing back all the villains reminds us of Island Expeditions referencing threats from all expansions in 亲述传说, including the Twilight Dragonflight, murlocs, elementals, and Helya, all pointing to an attack masterminded by the Old Gods.\r\r\r\rRise of Shadows also adds references to newer races in WoW. On the Dalaran game board, we see the presence of the Nightborne through the dusklily, leywoven carpet, and ancient mana, implying that in the Hearthstone universe, the Nightborne joined the neutral city of Dalaran instead of siding with the Horde. Meanwhile on the Solo Adventure Content teaser, we see a Sethrak Shaman and Vulpera Rogue--two races players really want to see as Allied Races, who play important roles in the Zandalar zone of Vol'dun.\r\r\r\r\r\r\r\rCitizens of Azeroth are advised to lock up their valuables and stay indoors, because a new coalition of super villains has risen to power, and Hearthstone\u00ae players around the world get to be the bad guys in Rise of Shadows\u2122, the next expansion for Blizzard Entertainment\u2019s smash-hit digital card game. Starting April 9, players will join a mischievous league of miscreants as they embark upon Hearthstone\u2019s first-ever yearlong storyline, kicking off with 135 dastardly new cards and some wickedly devious new mechanics.\r\rMALEVOLENT MECHANICS\rEVERY HENCHMAN NEEDS A LACKEY \u2013 The League of E.V.I.L. needs all the help they can get!\rLackeys provide the muscle to get things done for the League of E.V.I.L.\u2019s members. \r\rHeistbaron Togwaggle\u2019s henchman is the Rogue minion EVIL Miscreant, which adds two random Lackeys to the player\u2019s hand when Comboed.\rThere are five Lackeys in Rise of Shadows, 1\/1 minions with helpful Battlecries.\rFor example, Kobold Lackey\u2019s Battlecry deals 2 damage to a target.\r\rPLAN FOR SUCCESS \u2013 Schemes are Spells that grow in power each turn they\u2019re held in hand. \rHagatha's Scheme deals 1 damage to all minions to start, but gains damage every turn it\u2019s held in hand. Wait until just the right moment to spring the trap!\r\rCALLBACK CARDS \u2013 Our villains have been around for a long time, so some of their cards may feel a bit . . . familiar. The Priest Spell Forbidden Words, which spends all the player\u2019s mana to destroy a minion with that much attack or less, is a callback to Forbidden Shaping from Whispers of the Old Gods.\r\rTWICE THE TRICKERY \u2013 Cause double trouble for your opponent by using Spells with the new Twinspell keyword! When cast, Spells with Twinspell add a copy of themselves to the caster\u2019s hand. \rThe Forest's Aid is a Druid Twinspell that summons five 2\/2 Treants and adds a copy of the spell to the player\u2019s hand, ready to summon a new army of Treants to defend the magical city.\r\rTHE RISE OF SHADOWS SOLO ADVENTURE LOOMS\rThe accompanying Solo Adventure for Rise of Shadows\u2014bigger than ever before\u2014will be released starting in May. The first chapter of this Solo Adventure will be free and, in a return to what players experienced with the original Hearthstone Adventures, additional chapters can be unlocked for $19.99, or 700 gold per chapter. More information to come soon.\r\rJOIN THE LEAGUE OF E.V.I.L.\rThe Rise of Shadows is upon us\u2014arm yourself for evildoing! Starting April 5, just before Pre-Release, players can simply login to claim the free Legendary card and begin using it immediately in Play Mode and at Pre-Release events. At launch, a quest chain will become available that rewards multiple card packs for the Rise of Shadows and Year of the Raven expansions. Additionally, during the first week of the expansion\u2019s release, the Shadow Bundle will be available, containing nine Rise of Shadows card packs and an Arena ticket for $9.99 (players can purchase the bundle only once per account).\r\rPlayers looking to unleash their shadowy side early can pre-purchase Rise of Shadows card packs in two bundles: a 50-pack Rise of Shadows bundle that includes the Jewel of Lazul card back and a Legendary card; and the 80-card pack Mega Bundle, which includes the Madame Lazul Priest Hero, the Jewel of Lazul card back, and a Golden Legendary card. These one-time-only bundles are available on any platform for $49.99 and $79.99, respectively (players can purchase each bundle only once per account).\r\r\u2028Prepare yourself\u2014Rise of Shadows Pre-Release events begin April 5, and the expansion launches April 9.

评论

评论来自 Chasedon

on 2019-03-14T12:38:15-05:00

I for one welcome the League of E.V.I.L! They might make some reforms to reinvigorate Dalaran. It\u2019s been a ghost town since the old management shut down the portals from the city and redirected incoming portals to Azuna.

评论来自 KuripuGao

on 2019-03-14T13:18:14-05:00

I really wish I could get into Hearthstone, but honestly the slow RNG way in which you obtain cards and the insanely efficient meta decks (everyone using the same three decks) just ruins the game for me.\r\rOn the other hand however, I'm curious if it's supposed to be a teaser or not. I'm all for weirder races making the Allied race list; they're better than Void Elves at least.

评论来自 Roguinaa

on 2019-03-14T13:25:07-05:00

I for one welcome the League of E.V.I.L! They might make some reforms to reinvigorate Dalaran. It\u2019s been a ghost town since the old management shut down the portals from the city and redirected incoming portals to Azuna.\r\rOk that just made my day lmao but yes agreed

评论来自 Calphricham

on 2019-03-14T13:49:57-05:00

Why is the master Rafaam? Nomi is obviously pure evil.

评论来自 Hinalover

on 2019-03-14T13:50:53-05:00

For those wondering, the David Kosak video is a homage to Masterpiece Theater https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=foG8zLMWJ_Y

or if you are old enough, Mouseterpiece Theater on Disneyhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dwSkcLYBipw

评论来自 Lostelf

on 2019-03-14T13:58:21-05:00

Burning Dalaran? I wish.

评论来自 Joshmaul

on 2019-03-14T14:19:55-05:00

I for one welcome the League of E.V.I.L! They might make some reforms to reinvigorate Dalaran. It\u2019s been a ghost town since the old management shut down the portals from the city and redirected incoming portals to Azuna.\r\rPlus the city is already purple, and purple is an evil color, so there's that, too. :D

评论来自 linkmastr001

on 2019-03-14T14:46:20-05:00

I for one welcome the League of E.V.I.L! They might make some reforms to reinvigorate Dalaran. It\u2019s been a ghost town since the old management shut down the portals from the city and redirected incoming portals to Azuna.\r\rI wish I could like this post.

评论来自 Sp33dey

on 2019-03-14T15:51:47-05:00

I really wish I could get into Hearthstone, but honestly the slow RNG way in which you obtain cards and the insanely efficient meta decks (everyone using the same three decks) just ruins the game for me.\r\r\r^this

评论来自 asix

on 2019-03-14T16:17:58-05:00

Hearthstone is so basic and uninspired compared to the OG fantasy card game Magic The Gathering, which recently launched their online CCG called MTG: Arena. Cards are boring, most mechanics are taken from MTG and simplified, like the new "Twincast" is basically just a "Jump-start" mechanic from MTG, however the latter requires you to discard a card (not at random, you actually get to chose what to discard in MTG) and allows for some more power to be grafted into a card that has a downside. If you liked Hearthstone but quickly found out that it's shallow and very RNG-centric - you should definitely try MTG, there's close to no RNG there (apart from obvious RNG of the card draw) and you can build decks that are beyond the wildest dreams of an average Hearthstone player. Yes, it's more complicated, but that's what makes it fun.

评论来自 malberry

on 2019-03-14T16:52:13-05:00

Hearthstone is so basic and uninspired compared to the OG fantasy card game Magic The Gathering, which recently launched their online CCG called MTG: Arena. Cards are boring, most mechanics are taken from MTG and simplified, like the new "Twincast" is basically just a "Jump-start" mechanic from MTG, however the latter requires you to discard a card (not at random, you actually get to chose what to discard in MTG) and allows for some more power to be grafted into a card that has a downside. If you liked Hearthstone but quickly found out that it's shallow and very RNG-centric - you should definitely try MTG, there's close to no RNG there (apart from obvious RNG of the card draw) and you can build decks that are beyond the wildest dreams of an average Hearthstone player. Yes, it's more complicated, but that's what makes it fun.

"Fun" is entirely subjective. Fun for you? That's great. Many people prefer simpler games, which was exactly why Hearthstone was made as a simpler alternative to MTG, to capture that audience that might like MTG but can't\/won't spend the time to learn all the complex mechanics of the game.

I used to play Hearthstone, and I've recently moved to MTG and MTG Arena since I do enjoy it more. But that doesn't make one or the other "better" or "more fun" objectively. They target different audiences of people. And to call Hearthstone uninspired is flat out dishonest. I'm not really sure what your purpose is of coming to this post to essentially advertise MTG and diss on Hearthstone. Go to MTG forums instead.

评论来自 ONCHEhap

on 2019-03-14T18:27:24-05:00

I really wish I could get into Hearthstone, but honestly the slow RNG way in which you obtain cards and the insanely efficient meta decks (everyone using the same three decks) just ruins the game for me.\r\rOn the other hand however, I'm curious if it's supposed to be a teaser or not. I'm all for weirder races making the Allied race list; they're better than Void Elves at least.\r\ryeah the game is ruined by the meta and the netdecking tbh\r\rPlay one of the handful of decks you can find online,or uninstall pretty much

评论来自 Ardensolis1

on 2019-03-14T20:09:01-05:00

So what you're saying is - Hearthstone's lore is like when you're copying your A+ friend's homework as the teacher is collecting it, but don't quite get it all right anyway.

评论来自 asix

on 2019-03-14T22:02:40-05:00

Hearthstone is so basic and uninspired compared to the OG fantasy card game Magic The Gathering, which recently launched their online CCG called MTG: Arena. Cards are boring, most mechanics are taken from MTG and simplified, like the new "Twincast" is basically just a "Jump-start" mechanic from MTG, however the latter requires you to discard a card (not at random, you actually get to chose what to discard in MTG) and allows for some more power to be grafted into a card that has a downside. If you liked Hearthstone but quickly found out that it's shallow and very RNG-centric - you should definitely try MTG, there's close to no RNG there (apart from obvious RNG of the card draw) and you can build decks that are beyond the wildest dreams of an average Hearthstone player. Yes, it's more complicated, but that's what makes it fun.\r\r"Fun" is entirely subjective. Fun for you? That's great. Many people prefer simpler games, which was exactly why Hearthstone was made as a simpler alternative to MTG, to capture that audience that might like MTG but can't\/won't spend the time to learn all the complex mechanics of the game. \r\rI used to play Hearthstone, and I've recently moved to MTG and MTG Arena since I do enjoy it more. But that doesn't make one or the other "better" or "more fun" objectively. They target different audiences of people. And to call Hearthstone uninspired is flat out dishonest. I'm not really sure what your purpose is of coming to this post to essentially advertise MTG and diss on Hearthstone. Go to MTG forums instead.\r\rEhhhhh, what the hell? I never said \u201cobjectively\u201d, we all just share our opinions here. And Hearthstone was able to capture a huge audience not because it was simple, but because it\u2019s a massive universe that had major following before HS came out, coupled with really good graphics and animations as well as the fact that there were basically no competition. As for telling other people where to express their opinions - you know where to go, and it\u2019s a very far place from MTG forums or Wowhead.

评论来自 Draccy

on 2019-03-14T23:33:27-05:00

Heyla? Shouldn't it be Helya?\rAnyway, I'm ready to see the solo content and the other two adventures.

评论来自 Castrum

on 2019-03-15T00:12:37-05:00

Removed

评论来自 bhaije

on 2019-03-15T02:11:08-05:00

I for one welcome the League of E.V.I.L! They might make some reforms to reinvigorate Dalaran. It\u2019s been a ghost town since the old management shut down the portals from the city and redirected incoming portals to Azuna.\r\rlol nice one

评论来自 Arraya

on 2019-03-15T04:14:28-05:00

I really want to play a Sethrak Shaman, now that I see that class\/race combo.

评论来自 Vanderz

on 2019-03-15T04:47:01-05:00

E.V.I.L - Every Villain Is Lemons!\r\rThis is my type of expansion! Not that I play hearthstone mind you, but still.

评论来自 Iceman3317

on 2019-03-15T06:11:17-05:00

League of E.V.I.L. made me think of My Hero Academia since that group of evil is called. League of Villains...